The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[Fred's Hens]

I'm not shopping now. I have some of Fred's. At 17 weeks, I don't know how they lay.

Local knowledge tip:

Get some more chicks/eggs from Bob next year, or even in October. I promise you, you'll see an even greater improvement. Ask him for eggs from females under The Admiral (Nelson),a cockbird I gave him.

I assure you the birds you have now will be great layers.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Dick Horstman sells closer to Standard RIRs and they lay well.

It's a fact, Ron. I have some. Nice birds. But, still…. our Nelsons make you wet yourself a little bit.

 

[ronott1]

It's a fact, Ron. I have some. Nice birds. But, still…. our Nelsons make you wet yourself a little bit.

Of course they do!

Just tossed that out there for those that may want something Good instead of Amazing while they wait until they can get some

Nelson
Mohawk

and other of the highest quality real old timey HRIRs.

The birds I have from Ron Fogle are amazing.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Absolutely, Ron, we're on the same page. I consider the Horstman/Kitle birds to be a huge cut above and good layers.
Not all these strains can meet everyone's needs and expectations.

You reckon that's why ol' Jimmy collected about all them, at one time, and tried them on for size?

 

[ronott1]

Absolutely, Ron, we're on the same page. I consider the Horstman/Kitle birds to be a huge cut above and good layers.
Not all these strains can meet everyone's needs and expectations.

You reckon that's why ol' Jimmy collected about all them, at one time, and tried them on for size?

Yes and Jimmy has great information on his site.

If I had more space I would have other lines too.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Well, for us, we've all the breeds and strains we can handle. Since I believe it important to do right by these birds, that means making the very best match-ups and hatching out a minimum of 50 chicks to have possible selections. No way we could do that if we have 6 different breeds or strains. Just our reality.

I know what you mean about liking several breeds though. But, I temper that with reality, most of the time. If I don't? Old Man Winter comes a calling and that'll snap you back to reality real quick like up here, for sure.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Yesterday butchered 3 of this year's RIR cockerels. I'm down to 9 cockerels, not sure how many pullets, but a lot more. I was actually hoping for more cockerels this year so I could hopefully find one that is exceptional. So far, I don't think any of them are but it is hard to tell, they are only about 4 months old. My friend and judge Gene Helton is coming over in the morning to help me evaluate. I'm giving him some processed chicken, cut up into parts, as thanks

.

I'm giving some serious thought to asking a judge how much it would cost to come look at my chickens. There is a large show in October in Indiana. Maybe I'll ask around. Most of mine are way to young to be pulling any out yet though. I do have one exception, a pullet that looks clearly lighter and different shape than the rest. No brick shape at all. I guess if there is hope to get that one amazing pullet, then there is the chance of getting that one odd ball pullet too.

 

[monnie662]

It's a fact, Ron. I have some. Nice birds. But, still…. our Nelsons make you wet yourself a little bit.

x 2

 

[monnie662]

Yesterday butchered 3 of this year's RIR cockerels. I'm down to 9 cockerels, not sure how many pullets, but a lot more. I was actually hoping for more cockerels this year so I could hopefully find one that is exceptional. So far, I don't think any of them are but it is hard to tell, they are only about 4 months old. My friend and judge Gene Helton is coming over in the morning to help me evaluate. I'm giving him some processed chicken, cut up into parts, as thanks

.

What age is the best to butcher, I have several different groups that are going to eat me out of house and home and I need to check the calendar for the correct age so I can move forward when it is time

 

[desertmarcy]

What age is the best to butcher, I have several different groups that are going to eat me out of house and home and I need to check the calendar for the correct age so I can move forward when it is time

Around here, any age is a good age, if I see something I don't like about a bird and don't want to continue forward with it! If you want to grow them until there is more meat, wait until any pinfeathers grow out because that makes plucking a lot easier.